About

Claire Cock-Starkey

I started out in media, working at BBC Radio Four and Five Live before going on to work at LBC. From there I found my spiritual home working with Ben Schott, starting out as researcher on the Sporting, Gaming and Idling Miscellany. I went on to help develop the format for Schott’s Almanac, working as Assistant Editor on the first two books before rising to become UK & Series Editor on the four subsequent UK books, three German and three US editions.

Working with Ben I also had the opportunity to assist with various miscellaneous offerings for The Daily Telegraph, The Times, Conde Nast Traveller, New York Times, Vanity Fair and Smythson diaries.

After producing a small team of children I decided it was time to set up on my own, so since 2011 I have been busily working as a freelance writer and editor – juggling writing books (Seeing the Bigger Picture, The Georgian Art of Gambling and How to Skin a Lion), project managing a vast array of Lego building operations and editing and indexing a number of non-fiction titles.

I am happiest perched in the British Library reading rooms surrounded by a pile of obscure and fascinating books researching my next offering.

Freelance

As a freelance copy-editor and indexer I have worked across a wide range of non-fiction books for a variety of trade publishers, see my CV for full details. I have a special interest in current affairs, history and sport.

I am a meticulous copy-editor, fastidious yet creative in my approach. I can mould the clunkiest text into engaging prose. I like nothing more than rearranging a sentence to ensure clarity, while preserving the author’s voice and style.

I love the challenge of compiling a good index, from the most basic, concise index which gets straight to the key points to a long exhaustive index complete with numerous cross-references.

I am always keen to work with new clients so do contact me if you have any projects you think might suit me.